At Thursday’s meeting of the Prairie Central C.U.S.D. #8 Board of Education, members heard reasons why high school physical education courses should count toward a student’s grade-point average.

High School Principal Dan Casillas and P.E. department chair Scott Willi explained that the proposal was presented to the district’s curriculum council and has been discussed at department chair meetings.

“One of the reasons we wanted to make P.E. count toward the GPA is we wanted to hold the kids more accountable in our classes,” said Willi.

“When a child is in our P.E. classes, they will slack in our classes and they will not be very motivated to take our written tests. It gets really hard for us to do our jobs and they don’t see the importance of it.”

Willi said making P.E. count toward the GPA holds teachers accountable all on the same level and he also cited the obesity issue in America.

A final decision will be made by the board in May, so any changes could be reflected in next year’s student handbook.

Also on Thursday, the board reviewed a project priority list with money coming from the County School Facilities Tax, which was approved by voters April 9. A four-year budget proposal, presented by Superintendent Dr. John Capasso, includes roof and plumbing work, security, bleacher projects, fire alarms, smart board replacement and wireless infrastructure. Approval of the list was tabled.

Dealing with future enrollment declines was another topic of discussion by board members. Possibilities include making schools into attendance centers or even forming a combined junior and senior high.

A new plan could be implemented for the 2014-2015 school year with a final decision made by the board in early 2014.

Following an executive session, the board accepted the resignation of Karen Wiley as a kindergarten teacher at Meadowbrook Elementary, approved a health-related leave for a PCHS teacher and appointed Todd Cheek PCHS/PCJHS choral director and Chatsworth general music teacher. They also approved assignment changes for selected staff members for 2013-14.

In other matters, the board:

• Approved joining a food services co-op next year.

• Authorized a new football scoreboard at no cost to the district. Private donations will cover the $65,000 project with $47,000 already committed.

• Learned from Casillas that Parkland College has decided to make Calculus II a dual-credit course. Details are being worked out for having a dual-credit Spanish IV class next year.